Really enjoyed this one! Came away with some new perspectives on R2R that I hadn't been considering.
It's fascinating to see the price implications that certain markets already have with respect to repairability. In a relatively commoditized market, like washing machines it seems like the market works itself out:
- Speed Queen - high priced, most reliable and repairable
- LG & Samsung - lower priced, difficult/impossible to self-repair, require certified repairman
- Whirlpool - average price, easy to get parts & self-repair
R2R often seems focused on the consumer electronics products. In your view what is it about those products/markets that's different from washing machines?
Consumer electronics differ from washing machines in repairability due to their rapid obsolescence, proprietary designs, and high repair costs relative to replacement.
Washing machines, with their modular components and longer lifecycles, align better with consumer repair expectations and aftermarket part availability.
Do you think R2R would actually disrupt OEM's price discrimination models? Even with perfect repair rights wouldn't OEMs just shift to more sophisticated forms of price discrimination like firmware control, diagnostic tools, or planned degradation. I think we could end up in a cycle where every R2R victor just pushes for more sophisticated lock-in mechanisms (like apple's parts pairing).
Really enjoyed this one! Came away with some new perspectives on R2R that I hadn't been considering.
It's fascinating to see the price implications that certain markets already have with respect to repairability. In a relatively commoditized market, like washing machines it seems like the market works itself out:
- Speed Queen - high priced, most reliable and repairable
- LG & Samsung - lower priced, difficult/impossible to self-repair, require certified repairman
- Whirlpool - average price, easy to get parts & self-repair
R2R often seems focused on the consumer electronics products. In your view what is it about those products/markets that's different from washing machines?
Great question.
Consumer electronics differ from washing machines in repairability due to their rapid obsolescence, proprietary designs, and high repair costs relative to replacement.
Washing machines, with their modular components and longer lifecycles, align better with consumer repair expectations and aftermarket part availability.
Do you think R2R would actually disrupt OEM's price discrimination models? Even with perfect repair rights wouldn't OEMs just shift to more sophisticated forms of price discrimination like firmware control, diagnostic tools, or planned degradation. I think we could end up in a cycle where every R2R victor just pushes for more sophisticated lock-in mechanisms (like apple's parts pairing).
That will likely what happen. But this may anger customers even more.